It all boils down to one game. Will history repeat itself or will a redemption tour be completed?

That will be answered on Sunday, Dec. 15, when reigning champion De La Salle and University of the Philippines clash for all the marbles in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball finals at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Crossing paths for one last time this year, the 5:30 p.m. affair is expected to be thrilling and nail-biting with both teams eager to fulfill their respective goals.

The Green Archers eye their second consecutive crown -- a feat they haven’t achieved since winning four straight titles from 1998 to 2001 -- while the Maroons seek to exact revenge from last year’s heartbreak and clinch their first crown since last winning it in 2021.

Eyes will be on the matchup between back-to-back MVP Kevin Quiambao of La Salle and UP’s JD Cagulangan as the two are expected to spearhead their respective squads to the Promised Land.

Only one will be successful.

La Salle coach Topex Robinson expects retaliation from UP after the Archers stole Game 2, 76-75, that brought the best-of-three series into a decider. The Maroons took Game 1, 73-65.

“I’m sure it’s gonna be all out again. Whoever wants it more will become champions,” said Robinson. “We’re just happy that we’re given this extra game for us.”

Aside from Quiambao, Robinson is also relying on Mike Phillips, Joshua David, EJ Gollena, JC Macalalag and Raven Gonzales.

For UP coach Goldwin Monteverde, meanwhile, how they will cope up from that stinging loss will be the key to their success.

“Ang importante naman right now. From here, kung paano [kami] maka-bounce back,” said Monteverde. “Pag-uusapan namin yung mga dapat gawin and be ready for the next game.”

Cagulangan, who is playing his final season, guns for a swansong which is to lift the Maroons anew en route to their fourth overall championship.

The 24-year-old versatile guard hopes to exorcise the ghost of UP’s past with the help of Quentin Millora-Brown, Harold Alarcon, Gerry Abadiano and Francis Lopez, who tries to regain his footing after his late-game falter.

Like the men’s pairing, University of Santo Tomas and National University dispute for the women’s crown in Game 3 at 1 p.m.

Last game’s hero Bridgette Santos, who tallied a career-best 27 points, targets to replicate her hot-shooting output for the Tigresses and is set to join forces with Karryle Sierba, Kent Pastrana, Agatha Bron and Tacky Tacatac in duplicating their 78-68 Game 2 win.

The Lady Bulldogs, meanwhile, hope to recover from that defeat -- their first in the season -- with Camille Clarin, Cielo Pagdulagan, Karl Ann Pingol and Angel Surada leading the charge.